From fruit-filled popsicles to a BLT-inspired pasta salad, here are our most-loved summer recipes — all made with WeightWatchers-friendly seasonal ingredients and cooking techniques.
Strawberry Watermelon Popsicle
This refreshing popsicle recipe makes use of in-season strawberries and watermelon to create a perfect iced treat for hot summer days. When selecting a watermelon, look for fruit that is heavy for its size with an orange field spot — this is a good indication the melon will be sweet and crisp. No popsicle mould? Try using small paper cups or lined muffin tins instead. Alternatively, freeze the fruit purée in ice cube trays and add the frozen strawberry-watermelon popsicle cubes to a glass of sparkling water.
Spiked Peach Lemonade
Our version of spiked lemonade contains fresh peaches, which typically arrive in farmers markets and grocery stores in mid-August. If you’d like to make this earlier in the summer, resist the urge to buy out-of-season peaches (which won’t have the same sweetness as seasonal fruit) and opt for frozen peach slices instead. This recipe calls for the addition of vodka, but can also be made alcohol-free by simply omitting this ingredient. For the fizziest lemonade, make sure to add the seltzer water just before serving.
BLT Pasta Salad
We’ve reinvented the classic BLT sandwich into a low calorie pasta salad the whole family will love. To increase the satiety factor, protein-and fibre-rich yellow lentil penne is used in place of traditional wheat pasta (although any legume-based pasta will work well in this recipe.) Turkey bacon and grape tomatoes make up the rest of the salad, which is then tossed in a creamy dressing made from Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise. Arugula is added right before serving to prevent it from wilting and gives the finished salad a pleasing peppery bite.
Caramalized Onions & Thyme Hot Dogs
There’s no easier way to elevate the average hot dog than by topping it with caramelized onions that have been slow-cooked with fresh thyme and balsamic vinegar. The onions can be prepared well-ahead of time, up to two days in advance, simply bring them to room temperature before serving. Whether you cook your dogs on a BBQ or on an indoor grill, grilling the hot dogs adds a mouth-watering smoky taste that ties all the flavour components together.
Caprese Salad Dip
What’s better than a caprese salad? A caprese salad dip with a side of thinly sliced Italian bread! Fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil are layered over a zesty base of garlic and Greek yogurt for a creamy and crowd-pleasing dip. Grape tomatoes are a flavourful option when local tomatoes aren’t available, but feel free to use peak-season heirloom varieties when you can find them.